Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

by Liudmyla Baganova

‘A girl is as beautiful as a flower. And every flower should be slightly dissolved.’ - Eva Longoria

Baby Doll. Mother’s Happiness

As a child, Linda found immense joy in dressing up her dolls, creating endless outfit combinations. Whenever left alone at home, she would sneak into her mother’s wardrobe, adorning herself with elegant dresses, necklaces, and high heels. Fortunately, her mother never minded. Linda’s dreams were ambitious; she once proclaimed she would become a cook, a nun, or even a model. However, cooking was second nature to every Italian woman, and slaving over a hot stove didn’t seem rewarding. Becoming a nun would require leaving her homeland, a sacrifice she wasn’t willing to make. And the thought of being a ‘bride of Christ’ simply did not align with her ambitions.

Competition. Unchildlike ‘Crime’

Linda’s entry into the modeling world was as unconventional as it was audacious. At thirteen, she was far from the conventional beauty standard—lanky, large-footed, and with a prominent nose. She entered the local Miss Teen Niagara contest, determined to win. When she lost, her competitive nature took over.

Sitting in the bushes outside the judges' hotel, she waited for her moment. When the porter momentarily left his post, she sneaked into the elevator, heading straight for the judge’s floor. She whispered into the contest chairman’s ear, “If you don’t choose me, I’ll tell the police you raped me.” The man, startled but amused, saw the fearless spark in her. An Elite Model Management scout was present and, intrigued by her audacity, asked her to walk. “Spread your shoulders. Tilt your head back. Smile.” By morning, Linda had an invitation to New York City and a contract draft in hand. Her destiny had begun.

New York City. Silver Shoes

Linda and her mother arrived in New York with excitement and ambition. They passed by a boutique showcasing a stunning pair of silver shoes with a hefty $200 price tag. “Someday, you’ll buy a pair just like these,” her mother reassured her. Linda silently nodded.

New York City was overwhelming, and success wasn’t immediate. The competition was fierce, with endless pretty faces, impossibly long legs, and sculpted figures. The Rolling Stones’ lyrics echoed in her mind: “Go ahead, bite the Big Apple. Don’t mind the maggots.” The fashion world seemed reluctant to recognize Linda’s potential.

A Turning Point in Paris

By 1984, Linda took a leap of faith and moved to Paris. At a casting call, she nonchalantly insulted another model by calling her “a shabby cat” before dozing off on a couch. Revenge in the modeling world is as swift as it is cruel. When she woke up, her signature long braid had been cut off by an unknown rival.

However, Julien d’Ys, a famed hairstylist, saw potential in her misfortune. He crafted a daring new haircut that catapulted Linda into the spotlight. The short, boyish cut became an instant phenomenon, altering the course of her career. Demi Moore in Ghost (1990) and Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby (1968) had their moment with short hair, but Linda’s transformation was entirely unplanned. Yet, it quadrupled her approval ratings overnight, making her the face of a new fashion era.

The Oysters Incident – A Lucky Break

Linda’s runway debut was a twist of fate. Her agent called her one morning with urgency. “Hurry to Azzedine Alaïa’s studio. One of the models ate oysters and fell sick. You’re replacing her.” Linda would later joke that from that moment on, “when a model was absent, we’d say she had eaten oysters.”

A Friendship That Changed Fashion

Her encounter with Azzedine Alaïa proved life-changing. Known as The Little Man with a Big Soul, Alaïa became a mentor and friend, extending kindness to all—from supermodels to the atelier’s cleaning staff. Linda and her contemporaries, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington, were among his closest confidants. The trio famously refused to walk in shows unless Naomi was included, an unheard-of act of solidarity in an industry driven by exclusivity. Naomi still reflects, “I’ll never forget this.”

Beyond the designers, Steven Meisel, the enigmatic photographer, became Linda’s greatest supporter. She was his muse—his Galatea—and their artistic collaborations were legendary. Meisel, known for avoiding the limelight, only ever spoke a few words in public, but he had endless conversations with Linda. She even had her child in his presence—a testament to their profound bond.

The Vertical Race to Fame

Success in the modeling world demands standing out. Linda mastered the art of reinvention. With each photoshoot, she transformed into a different persona, influencing trends with every look. The phrase “Don’t be born beautiful, make yourself beautiful” became synonymous with her career.

Her impact on beauty standards was undeniable. Marilyn Monroe’s soft glamour was replaced by a new definition of power and sensuality. With her striking features and piercing gaze, Linda captivated designers, photographers, and audiences alike. Karl Lagerfeld once described her as “a Stradivarius violin in the hands of a master.”

‍Love, Heartbreak, and Reality

Despite her success, Linda’s personal life was marked by heartbreak. At just 22, she married Gérald Marie, director of Elite Model Management, but the relationship crumbled when he expected her to leave the industry and start a family.

Later, she dated Kyle MacLachlan, of Twin Peaks fame. Though he lavished her with gifts, their lifestyles clashed. While he enjoyed antiquing and reading, Linda thrived in the high-energy world of fashion. The final blow came when she fell asleep at his movie premiere, leading to their breakup.

Her relationship with Fabien Barthez, the celebrated French goalkeeper, was perhaps her most genuine. She even promised to bear him a soccer team. However, a devastating miscarriage sent her into depression, and Barthez’s move to Manchester United signaled the end of their love story.

Farewell to an Era

Once, supermodels were as famous as Hollywood icons. But the industry evolved, replacing glamorous divas with waifish, androgynous figures under the pretense that “the face should not overshadow the clothes.” Yet, a few names remain unforgettable—Naomi Campbell, Natalia Vodianova, and, above all, Linda Evangelista.

She was more than a model—she was a chameleon, an icon, an artist. The twentieth century had its share of legendary beauties—Liz Taylor, Marilyn Monroe—and Linda belongs to that constellation.

Bravo, Linda Evangelista—the eternal queen of reinvention.

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